Mahalaya: Sacred Time to Honour Ancestors Through Ritual and Remembrance

Mahalaya, observed during the amanta month of Bhadrapada, is considered a sacred period to honour ancestors or Pitrus. Families traditionally gather, ideally at the eldest son's residence, to perform rituals on the tithi (lunar day) corresponding to an ancestor's passing. If the exact date is unknown, the observance is performed on Sarva Pitru Amavasya, also called Mahalaya Amavasya.

During the ritual, three generations of ancestors—parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents—along with their spouses and revered gurus are invoked. The ceremony involves offering black sesame and water to the ancestors in a ritual called tila-tarpanam, performed using the right thumb in a tilted position. Families gather to reminisce shared memories and express gratitude to those on whom they rely.

After the ritual, the Pitru prasadam, or blessed offering, is shared among all family members present, completing the observance of honouring one's lineage.